A tragic yet miraculous Disney cruise accident involved a five-year-old girl. She toppled from a high deck porthole aboard the Disney Dream ship. Authorities confirmed her mother encouraged her to pose for a photo.
This dangerous moment occurred just before the terrible accident happened. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on a June day. The ship was sailing between the Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale then. The family had stopped on Deck 4 near a decorative cutout.
This cutout was unfortunately shaped like a ship’s porthole. The mother reportedly told her daughter to sit on the railing. She was likely unaware of the immense danger it posed. Investigators confirmed the child then lost her balance and fell.
She fell backward from the forty-nine-foot-high deck into the ocean. Her father heard his wife scream but did not witness it. He immediately and heroically leapt into the water to save her. The shocking fall triggered an emergency “Man Overboard” alert ship-wide.
Disney’s rescue team quickly and efficiently launched a tender boat. They successfully located the father and daughter just minutes later. This rescue occurred only eighteen minutes after the initial fall. Passengers later described the incredibly tense moments on social media.
They specifically praised the crew for their speed and composure. Both the father and daughter survived this harrowing maritime ordeal. They unfortunately suffered from mild hypothermia and also lactic acidosis. This was a direct result of their time in the cold water.
Medical evaluations later revealed another serious injury for the father. He had also sustained two separate spinal fractures while jumping. Broward County prosecutors ultimately decided not to charge the mother. They cited her clear lack of intent for the incident. They also noted the fortunate absence of any serious injury.
A July memo described her decision as a momentary lapse. Assistant State Attorney Melissa Kelly called it a lapse in judgment. She firmly stated it was not considered criminal child neglect.
The mother acted responsibly by immediately alerting her husband loudly. She also correctly sought help from the crew right away. Officials explained the ship’s sensors did not detect the girl. Her small body size unfortunately failed to trigger the alarm. The system only activated once her larger father entered.
This Disney cruise fall ultimately ended in a miraculous rescue. That result was thanks to the crew’s incredibly rapid response. The father’s unquestionably heroic actions were also absolutely critical. Disney Cruise Line confirmed its team successfully retrieved both passengers.
They specifically credited the crew’s exceptional skills and prompt actions. The company expressed profound relief that both guests returned safely. They were brought back aboard within just a few minutes. This finally brought calm to a terrifying family vacation day.
